Summary
Gordon Wenham’s contribution to the NICOT series on Leviticus remains one of the most influential treatments of the book in modern evangelical scholarship. We find here a careful, reverent handling of the text that combines linguistic skill, canonical sensitivity, and an evident appreciation for the theological weight of Israel’s sacrificial system. Wenham writes with a clarity that helps pastors and students gain a confident grasp of a book often considered difficult.
The commentary moves steadily through the text, explaining ritual detail without losing sight of Leviticus’ covenantal structure and pastoral purpose. Wenham shows how law, sacrifice, holiness, and worship all emerge from God’s gracious initiative, giving preachers the tools to handle the material with confidence rather than hesitation.
Why Should I Own This Commentary?
Wenham’s work remains valuable because it succeeds at both detailed exegesis and clear theological synthesis. His explanations of ancient Near Eastern background, ritual terminology, and literary shape are consistently measured and free from speculation. This makes the commentary a reliable companion for anyone wanting to preach or teach Leviticus with conviction.
He is particularly strong in tracing the logic of the sacrificial system and the moral vision embedded within Israel’s holiness laws. Throughout, Wenham highlights how these instructions reveal God’s character and point forward to the fulfilment found in Christ, without forcing connections or losing the integrity of the Old Testament text.
For pastors preparing sermons, his structure, concise explanations, and thoughtful theological reflection make difficult passages accessible. For students, the commentary serves as a model of careful evangelical scholarship.
Closing Recommendation
This is a significant and trustworthy volume that has shaped generations of preachers. We gladly commend it to pastors and serious students who want depth without unnecessary technicality. Wenham’s work remains one of the best entry points for anyone preparing to teach Leviticus.
If you intend to spend any length of time preaching from this book, this commentary deserves a place on your shelf.
Gordon J. Wenham
Gordon J. Wenham is a British evangelical Old Testament scholar of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, associated with conservative, church-serving scholarship and a broadly Reformed-leaning stance.
Wenham’s major contribution includes influential commentaries on Genesis, Leviticus, and Numbers, as well as studies in Old Testament ethics and narrative. His work is marked by careful exegesis, attention to literary structure, and engagement with both historical context and theological implication. He writes as a believer who wants rigorous scholarship to strengthen, not erode, confidence in Scripture.
He is valued for clarity, balance, and a knack for summarising complex issues in a way that pastors and serious students can grasp. His commentaries have become standard references for preachers working through the Pentateuch and have helped many see the theological richness of books often neglected in the pulpit.
Notable volumes include his commentaries on Genesis and Leviticus and his studies on Old Testament ethics and narrative reading.